Orange Come From Behind to Win ACC Opener, 67-58

Sunday, December 18

Syracuse, NY

12 PM

Syracuse University

Wake Forest

McEvans and Strong all smiles in Syracuse's ACC opener win

Orange Come From Behind to Win ACC Opener, 67-58

12/18/2022 2:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery Press Conference Highlights

Syracuse earned its first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) win of the Felisha Legette-Jack Era on Sunday afternoon. The Orange came from behind to defeat Wake Forest (8-4, 0-2 ACC), 67-58, to improve to 8-0 at the JMA Wireless Dome this season and 9-2 overall.

Dyaisha Fair led all scorers with 25 points, scoring 15 in the second half and making eight of nine shots at the free throw line in the win. Asia Strong recorded her second double double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds while Cheyenne McEvans sparked the Orange defense with two steals and four rebounds in 13 minutes to earn the hard hat after the win.

WHAT COACH JACK SAID:
"What a physical game. That was two teams really wanting something that only one team could go home with. That's a sign of what our conference is like. I'm learning that right now and our players went out there understanding that. As we learned how we had to play, we made the adjustments. Our bigs really did a tremendous job of rebounding and our guards were able to have some fun in one-on-one situations. I thought this was a great team win. I think we're still becoming and we're still on our way."

WHEN IT WAS DECIDED:
Syracuse outscored Wake Forest, 24-14, in the fourth quarter and 12-2 down the final 1:55 of the game. Eleven of Fair's points were scored in the final 10 minutes while Strong had eight points and five rebounds in the final frame.

DYNAMIC DYASIHA:
Fair recorded her fifth game of the season with 20-or more points and third with 25+ points. IT marked the 11th time she's scored in double figures this season and eighth time leading Syracuse in scoring.

WHO EARNED THE HARD HAT:
McEvans wins the hard hat for the first time this season. She understood the assignment on defense and helped the Orange secure their first ACC win of the season.

NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- Dyiasha Fair tallied her 5th 20-point game of the season
- Syracuse had its best game of the season at the free throw going 20-24 at the charity stripe (.833)
- Asia Strong had her second double double of the season and a season-high 11 rebounds in the win
- Syracuse outscored Wake Forest 16-2 on second-chance points
- The Orange had an 18-9 advantage in offensive rebound out-rebounded the Demon Deacons by 16, 48-32.
- Wake Forest was led by Demeara Hinds who had 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

UP NEXT:
Syracuse hosts UAlbany for School Day on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome. Tuesday's game is the final non-conference game for Syracuse this season and the seventh opponent the Orange will face from New York State this season.